Suspension devices and packages

Abstract

To provide a suspension device which is easy to handle.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a suspension device 16 which is attached removably to openings 28a and 28b of a package body 14. The suspension device 16 comprises a coupling flap 32 and a tote body 34 coupled to the coupling flap 32. The coupling flap 32 has at least one engagement mechanism 37 which removably engages the openings 28a and 28b of the package body 14, and the at least one engagement mechanism 37 comprises main tabs 38a and 38b which are arranged at the openings 28a and 28b of the package body 14, and auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b which are coupled to the main tabs 38a and 38b, which are coupled to the coupling flap 32 around a virtual line in a hinge manner. The suspension device 16 in an expanded form is suspended with the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b extending from the virtual line in the opposite direction from the extending direction of the main tabs 38a and 38b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hanging device and a package, particularly to an improvement in an engagement mechanism of the hanging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, packages for packaging a packaged body such as a cylindrical can filled with a beverage have been known (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In recent years, among packages, a multi-pack that can bundle two or more of the same packaged bodies has attracted particular attention.

[0003] Paperboard is mainly used as the packaging material. A package is completed by wrapping the packaged body from above and locking and sealing it below with a packaging material such as paperboard.

[0004] According to such a package, it has advantages such as being able to easily package the packaged body, facilitating the carrying of the packaged body, and having a display effect.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] <{ Even in such a package having various advantages, it is required to further enhance the advertising effect of the packaged body. To meet such a demand, it is conceivable to add a hanging device on which an advertisement or the like is displayed to the package.

[0007] However, there was still room for improvement in the ease of use of the suspension device. In other words, the hanging device attached to the package could detach from the package during transport, requiring careful handling and making it cumbersome to use.

[0008] Therefore, conventionally, to prevent the suspension device from detaching from the package during transport, it has been considered to more securely fix the suspension device to the package. However, if the hanging device is firmly attached to the package, it can be difficult to remove it when opening the package, making it cumbersome to handle.

[0009] Thus, conventionally, it has been difficult to achieve both the ability to prevent the product from coming off the package and the ability to easily remove it from the package using a single suspension device. Therefore, even with hanging devices that offer excellent advertising effectiveness, there was still room for improvement in terms of ease of use, but until now, there was no suitable technology to solve this problem.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and its purpose is to provide an easy-to-handle suspension device and package. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] <Suspension device> To achieve the above objective, the suspension device according to the present invention is a suspension device that is detachably attached to the opening of a package, and comprises a connecting flap and a tote body.

[0012] Here, the connecting flap has at least one engagement mechanism. The at least one engagement mechanism engages with the opening of the packaging body in a removable manner. The at least one engagement mechanism comprises a main tab positioned at the opening of the packaging body and an auxiliary tab connected to the main tab. The main tab is hinged to the connecting flap around a virtual line. This "virtual line" is literally an imaginary line and is not actually visible. When the suspension device is in its deployed state, the auxiliary tab extends from the virtual line in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the main tab.

[0013] Furthermore, the tote bag body is connected to the connecting flap.

[0014] In the present invention, when fold lines for the main tab and / or auxiliary tabs are used, these fold lines extend along the imaginary lines. However, both fold lines can be omitted if necessary. In the present invention, the main tab is preferably sized to be removablely attached to the opening of the packaging. In the present invention, it is preferable that the auxiliary tab be smaller than the main tab. In the present invention, it is preferable that the fold line for the auxiliary tab be shorter than the fold line for the main tab. In the present invention, it is preferable to align the center of the fold line for the main tab with the center of the fold line for the auxiliary tab. In the present invention, it is preferable that the fold line for the main tab and the fold line for the auxiliary tab are arranged such that one end of the fold line for the main tab and the other end of the fold line for the main tab are facing each other, with the fold line for the auxiliary tab in between.

[0015] Furthermore, in the suspension device according to the present invention, the main tab is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the main tab, The auxiliary tab is connected to the main tab along the fold line for the auxiliary tab, It is preferable that the crease line for the main tab is aligned on the same virtual line as the crease line for the auxiliary tab. That is, it is preferable that the crease line for the main tab and the crease line for the auxiliary tab are aligned on the same straight line.

[0016] In the hanging device according to the present invention, the at least one engaging mechanism includes a pair of engaging mechanisms arranged in a facing configuration with respect to each other. When the hanging device is in the deployed form, it is preferable that each auxiliary tab of the engaging mechanism extends from the corresponding main tab so as to face each other.

[0017] In the hanging device according to the present invention, the tote body is connected to the connecting flap along a crease line for the tote body. It is also preferable that the crease line for the auxiliary tab is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the crease line for the tote body.

[0018] In the hanging device according to the present invention, the tote body is connected to the connecting flap along a crease line for the tote body. The virtual line may be arranged in a direction parallel to the crease line for the tote body.

[0019] In the hanging device according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the at least one engaging mechanism is at least partially punched out from the connecting flap.

[0020] <Package> Further, in order to achieve the above object, the package according to the present invention includes a packaged object, a carton, and a hanging device. Here, the packaged object is at least one packaged object. Further, the carton is a packaging body at least partially arranged around the at least one packaged object. The hanging device is removably attached to the carton. The carton comprises a plurality of wall panels that are hinged together. The aforementioned plurality of wall panels include a top wall panel. The top wall panel has a handle for carrying. The aforementioned carrying handle has at least one opening for a finger rest. Furthermore, the suspension device comprises a tote body positioned along at least a portion of the outside of the carton, and a connecting flap having at least one engagement mechanism that engages with at least one finger-grip opening of the carton. The at least one engagement mechanism comprises a main tab positioned in at least one finger-reach opening, and an auxiliary tab connected to the main tab. The main tab is hinged to the connecting flap around a virtual line. This "virtual line" is an imaginary line and is not actually visible. When the suspension device is in its deployed state, the auxiliary tab extends from the virtual line in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the main tab.

[0021] Furthermore, in the package according to the present invention, the plurality of wall panels define a cylindrical structure having at least one open end. It is also preferable that the tote bag body is positioned such that it at least partially closes at least one open end of the cylindrical structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] In the suspension device described in claim 1, the main tab and the auxiliary tab are arranged on the same virtual line, so that a single suspension device can be made less likely to detach or more likely to detach. In other words, when the main tab and auxiliary tab are folded inward, the suspension device is less likely to detach from the package. On the other hand, when the auxiliary tab is folded outward, the suspension device is more likely to detach from the package. As described above, the suspension device described in claim 1 allows the auxiliary tab to make it difficult or easy for one suspension device to detach, thus making it easier to handle the suspension device.

[0023] In the suspension device described in claim 2, the fold line for the main tab and the fold line for the auxiliary tab are aligned on the same straight line (the same imaginary line), so the effect of being difficult to detach or easy to detach, which is possessed by the above-described suspension device, can be obtained more reliably.

[0024] The suspension device described in claim 3 is equipped with a pair of engagement mechanisms arranged facing each other, and each auxiliary tab of the engagement mechanism extends from the corresponding main tab facing each other, thereby more reliably obtaining the effect of being difficult to detach or easy to detach that the above-described suspension device possesses.

[0025] In the hanging device described in claim 4, the tote body is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the tote body, and the fold line for the auxiliary tab is positioned perpendicular to the fold line for the tote body, so that the tote body can be positioned at a desired location on the packaging. This makes handling the hanging device easier.

[0026] In the hanging device described in claim 5, the tote body is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the tote body, and the imaginary lines passing through the fold line for the main tab and the fold line for the auxiliary tab are arranged parallel to the fold line for the tote body. Therefore, the tote body can be provided at a desired location on the packaging in a different arrangement than that of the tote body described in claim 4. This makes handling the hanging device easier.

[0027] In the suspension device described in claim 6, at least one engagement mechanism is punched out at least partially from the connecting flap, which simplifies the configuration of the engagement mechanism and makes the suspension device easier to handle.

[0028] The package described in claim 7 is equipped with a suspension device according to the present invention, and the auxiliary tab makes it difficult or easy to detach one of the suspension devices from the carton, thereby facilitating the handling of the suspension device.

[0029] In the package described in claim 8, the tote bag body can at least partially close at least one open end of the cylindrical structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of a package using a suspension device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the deployed form of the suspension device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the suspension device with its auxiliary tab folded inward. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the suspension device with its auxiliary tab folded outwards. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of a package using a suspension device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a plan view showing the deployed form of the suspension device. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing the unfolded form of a carton constituting a package according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of a package using a suspension device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] <Package> Figure 1 shows a package according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The package 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a beer can (packaged body) 12, a carton 14, and a suspension device 16.

[0032] In this embodiment, the packaged object of the present invention consists of six beer cans 12 arranged in a 2x3 configuration.

[0033] The carton of the present invention is a packaging body that is at least partially arranged around at least one packaged item. In this embodiment, the carton 14 is arranged around beer cans 12 arranged in a 2x3 configuration. The carton of the present invention comprises a plurality of wall panels that are hinged together. In this embodiment, the plurality of wall panels comprises a top wall panel 18, side wall panels 20, 22, and a bottom wall panel 24. In this embodiment, the carton 14 is a tubular carton with two open ends. In Figure 1, only one open end 30 of the tubular structure of the carton 14 is visible. The top wall panel 18 has a carrying handle 26. The carrying handle 26 has openings 28a and 28b for finger rests.

[0034] The suspension device 16 is detachably attached to finger-grip openings 28a and 28b formed in the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14. The hanging device 16 comprises a connecting flap 32 and a tote bag body 34.

[0035] The connecting flap 32 has an engagement mechanism 37. The engagement mechanism 37 of the connecting flap 32 is removably engaged with the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the carrying handle 26 on the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14. The engagement mechanism 37 of the connecting flap 32 comprises main tabs 38a, 38b and auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b.

[0036] The main tabs 38a and 38b are tabs with a roughly C-shaped contour on the free end side. The base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b are hinged to the connecting flap 32 around the fold lines 50a and 50b for the main tabs. In Figure 1, the main tabs 38a and 38b are positioned in the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14 and are in an inwardly folded state.

[0037] The auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are tabs with a roughly semicircular contour shape on the free end side. The base ends of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are hinged to the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b around the fold lines 52a and 52b for the auxiliary tabs. In other words, the fold lines of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are located on the same virtual lines Xa-Xa and Xb-Xb as the fold lines of the main tabs 38a and 38b. In Figure 1, the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are in an inward-folded state, similar to the main tabs 38a and 38b which are located in the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14, and cover the main tabs 38a and 38b which are in an inward-folded state within the carton 14 from below.

[0038] In this embodiment, the tote bag body 34 is panel-shaped and connected to the connecting flap 32 via a fold line 36 for the tote bag body. The tote bag body 34 is folded along the fold line 36 for the tote bag body. As a result, the hanging tag 16 is positioned such that the connecting flap 32 is aligned along a portion of the outer surface of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14, and the tote bag body 34 is aligned along the outer surface of the side wall panel 20. In this embodiment, an advertising panel is formed by connecting a panel-shaped tote bag body 34 to a connecting flap 32.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the suspension device 16 can be easily added to the carton 14 by engaging the engagement mechanism 37 of the suspension device 16 with the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14.

[0040] In particular, according to this embodiment, since the tote body 34 of the hanging device 16 is positioned along the outer surface of the side wall panel 20 of the carton 14, the hanging device 16 can provide an advertisement different from the advertisement displayed on the side wall panel 20.

[0041] The hanging tag 16 is detachably attached to the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14. Here, the suspension device 16 is configured such that the fold line for the main tab 38a and the fold line for the auxiliary tab 40a are on the same straight line, and the fold line for the main tab 38b and the fold line for the auxiliary tab 40b are also on the same straight line, thereby making it easier or harder for one suspension device 16 to detach. In other words, the suspension device 16 makes it less likely to detach from the carton 14 when the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are folded inward during transport. On the other hand, the suspension device 16 makes it easier to detach the suspension device 16 from the carton 14 when the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are folded outwards, such as when opening the carton 14 to take out the beer can 12. This allows the user to handle the suspension device 16 with less pain.

[0042] <Suspension device> The suspension device 16 will be described in more detail below. Figure 2 shows the suspension device 16 shown in Figure 1 in an unfolded state. The engagement mechanism 37 comprises main tabs 38a, 38b and auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b.

[0043] The main tabs 38a and 38b are tabs with a roughly C-shaped contour on the free end side. The main tab 38a extends from the fold line 50a for the main tab in the -Y direction in Figure 2. The main tab 38b extends from the fold line 50b for the main tab in the opposite direction (the +Y direction in Figure 2) to the direction in which the main tab 38a extends (the -Y direction in Figure 2).

[0044] The base end of the main tab 38a is connected to the connecting flap 32 via a fold line 50a for the main tab. The base end of the main tab 38b is connected to the connecting flap 32 via the fold line 50b for the main tab.

[0045] When the main tabs 38a and 38b are folded inward, the free ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b rotate around the fold lines 50a and 50b for the main tabs. When the main tabs 38a and 38b are folded inward along the fold lines 50a and 50b for the main tabs, the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b contact the edges of the finger-grip openings formed in the top wall panel of the carton, and the free ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b are located inside the carton, inward from the edges of the finger-grip openings in the top wall panel. On the other hand, when the main tabs 38a and 38b are folded outwards, the free ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b rotate around the fold lines 50a and 50b for the main tabs in the opposite direction to the inward folding direction.

[0046] The engagement mechanism 37 of the present invention is punched out at least partially from the connecting flap 32. In this embodiment, the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are substantially semicircular tabs defined by substantially semicircular cuts. That is, the free ends of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are punched out from the connecting flap 32.

[0047] The auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are connected at their base ends to the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b. In other words, the auxiliary tab 40a is connected to the base end of the main tab 38a via a fold line 52a for the auxiliary tab at the base end of the auxiliary tab 40a. The auxiliary tab 40b is connected to the base end of the main tab 38b via a fold line 52b for the auxiliary tab at the base end of the auxiliary tab 40b. When the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are folded inward, the free ends of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b rotate around the fold lines 52a and 52b for the auxiliary tabs. When the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are folded inward along the fold lines 52a and 52b for the auxiliary tabs, the base ends (fold lines) of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are on the same straight line as the base ends (fold lines) of the main tabs that contact the edges of the finger-grip openings formed in the top wall panel of the carton, and the free ends of the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b overlap from below the free ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b, which are located inside the carton beyond the edges of the finger-grip openings in the top wall panel.

[0048] In other words, the fold line 50a for the main tab is aligned on the same straight line (indicated by the imaginary line Xa-Xa in Figure 2) as the fold line 52a for the auxiliary tab. The fold line 50b for the main tab is aligned on the same straight line (indicated by the imaginary line Xb-Xb in Figure 2) as the fold line 52b for the auxiliary tab. In this embodiment, the virtual lines Xa-Xa and Xb-Xb are used as virtual lines of the present invention. In this embodiment, the virtual line Xa-Xa refers to a virtual line passing through the fold line 50a for the main tab and the fold line 52a for the auxiliary tab. In this embodiment, the virtual line Xb-Xb refers to the virtual line Xb-Xb that passes through the fold line 50b for the main tab and the fold line 52b for the auxiliary tab.

[0049] Each auxiliary tab of the engagement mechanism of the present invention extends from the corresponding main tab in a direction opposite to one another. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary tab 40a extends in the opposite direction to the main tab 38a (in the +Y direction in Figure 2), with the fold line 52a for the auxiliary tab (fold line 50a for the main tab) in between. The auxiliary tab 40b extends in the opposite direction to the main tab 38b (in the -Y direction in Figure 2), with the fold line 52b for the auxiliary tab (fold line 50b for the main tab) in between. Thus, in this embodiment, when the suspension device 16 is in its deployed state, the free end of the auxiliary tab 40a and the free end of the auxiliary tab 40b extend in directions opposite to each other.

[0050] The tote bag body 32 is connected to the connecting flap 34 along the fold line 36 for the tote bag body. The direction in which the fold lines 50a and 50b for the main tabs extend is the X direction in Figure 2. The direction in which the fold lines 52a and 52b for the auxiliary tabs extend is also the X direction in Figure 2. In contrast, the direction in which the fold line 36 for the tote bag body extends is the Y direction in Figure 2. In other words, the imaginary line Xa-Xa passing through the fold line 50a for the main tab and the fold line 52a for the auxiliary tab is positioned to extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fold line 36 for the tote bag body extends (Y direction in Figure 2) (X direction in Figure 2).

[0051] The main tab 38a has a fold line 54a formed in combination with the fold line 50a for the main tab, which forms a roughly triangular fold line. The fold line 54a forms inwardly foldable tongue-shaped portions 56a and 58a on the main tab 38a. The inwardly foldable tongue-shaped portions 56a and 58a are configured to conform to the beer can inside the carton when the main tab 38a is folded inward.

[0052] Similar to the main tab 38a, the main tab 38b also has a fold line 54b that, when combined with the fold line 50b for the main tab, forms a roughly triangular fold line. The fold line 54b creates inwardly foldable tongue-shaped portions 56b and 58b on the main tab 38b. The inwardly foldable tongue-shaped portions 56b and 58b are configured to conform to the beer can inside the carton when the main tab 38b is folded inward.

[0053] The suspension package 16 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be explained below.

[0054] Figure 3 shows the suspension device 16 according to this embodiment securely attached to the carton 14. When the suspension device 16 according to this embodiment is securely attached to the carton 14, the main tabs 38a, 38b and the auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b are in an inward-folded state as shown in Figure 3.

[0055] More specifically, when the main tabs 38a and 38b of the suspension device 16 are in the inward-folded configuration shown in Figure 3, the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b are in close contact with the edges of the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b. In particular, the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b are in strong contact with the edges of the finger-grip opening 28 in areas A1, A2, and A3.

[0056] When the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b of the suspension device 16 are in the inward-folded configuration shown in Figure 3, the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b can reliably maintain the inward-folded configuration of the main tabs 38a and 38b described above. In particular, the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b bring into stronger contact between region A3 of the edges of the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b and the bases of the main tabs 38a and 38b. When the main tabs 38a, 38b and auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b are folded inward in this manner, the main tabs 38a, 38b are in stronger contact with the edges of the finger-receiving openings 28a, 28b, particularly areas A1, A2, and A3, by the auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b. This allows the main tabs 38a and 38b to be more securely held in the folded position, thereby allowing them to be more securely held on the edges of the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18.

[0057] When the main tabs 38a, 38b and auxiliary tabs 40a, 40b of the suspension device 16 are folded inward as shown in Figure 3, the suspension device 16 cannot be easily removed from the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14 even if it is pulled.

[0058] Next, the suspension device 16 according to this embodiment can be made in a form that can be easily removed from the carton 14.

[0059] Figure 4 shows a configuration in which the suspension device 16 according to this embodiment can be easily removed from the carton 14. In order to make the suspension device 16 according to this embodiment easily removable from the carton 14, the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b, which were in an inward-folded state, are changed to an outward-folded state as shown in Figure 4.

[0060] When the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b are folded outward as shown in Figure 4, the free ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b also rotate slightly in the direction that loosens the inward fold of the main tabs 38a and 38b. This releases the strong contact between the base ends of the main tabs 38a and 38b and the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b in areas A1, A2, and A3 of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14.

[0061] Therefore, when the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b of the suspension device 16 are folded outwards as shown in Figure 4, the main tabs 38a and 38b of the suspension device 16 can be easily pulled out from the finger-grip openings 28a and 28b of the top wall panel 18 of the carton 14 by pulling the suspension device 16. In this way, by folding the auxiliary tabs 40a and 40b outwards, the suspension device 16 can be easily removed from the carton 14. More specifically, the suspension device 16 is made easier to detach, the load is distributed and pain caused by the fold line is reduced when the finger opening is held, and when the auxiliary tab is folded outwards, it becomes tongue-shaped, making it easier to detach the suspension device by grasping the auxiliary tab in its outward-folded position.

[0062] As described above, by providing approximately semicircular auxiliary tabs 40 and 40b on the connecting flap 32 of the suspension device 16, it is possible to achieve both the effect of making it difficult to detach and the effect of making it easy to detach with a single suspension device 16.

[0063] [Second Embodiment] <Package> Figure 5 shows a schematic configuration of a package using a suspension device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts corresponding to those in Figure 1 are indicated by the numeral 100, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0064] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the tote body of the suspension device was provided along the outer surface of the side wall panel of the carton. However, in this embodiment, the tote body 134 is not provided along the outer surface of the side wall panel 120. That is, in this embodiment, the tote body 134 partially closes the open end 130 of the carton 114 which has a cylindrical structure.

[0065] According to this embodiment, since the hanging device 116 is provided at the open end 130 of the carton 114, in addition to the advertisement displayed on the side wall panel 120, advertisements on the tote bag body 134 can be added. Therefore, according to this embodiment, more advertisements can be displayed compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the tote bag body 134 can also protect the beer cans 112 located near the open end 130 of the carton 114.

[0066] <Suspension device> The suspension device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below. Note that parts corresponding to those in Figure 2 are indicated by the numeral 100, and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 6 shows the suspension device 116 shown in Figure 5 in an unfolded state. The tote bag body 134 shown in Figure 6 is connected to the connecting flap 132 along the fold line 136 for the tote bag body.

[0067] In this embodiment, the imaginary lines are arranged parallel to the fold lines for the tote bag body. In this embodiment, the direction in which the fold lines 150a and 150b for the main tabs extend is the Y direction in Figure 6. The direction in which the fold lines 152a and 152b for the auxiliary tabs extend is also the Y direction in Figure 6. The direction in which the fold line 136 for the tote bag body extends is also the Y direction in Figure 6. The direction in which the imaginary line Ya-Ya, passing through the fold line 150a for the main tab and the fold line 152a for the auxiliary tabs, extends (the Y direction in Figure 6) is parallel to the direction in which the fold line 136 for the tote bag body extends (the Y direction in Figure 6). The direction in which the imaginary line Yb-Yb, passing through the fold line 150b for the main tab and the fold line 152b for the auxiliary tab, extends (Y direction in Figure 6) is also parallel to the direction in which the fold line 136 for the tote bag body extends (Y direction in Figure 6). In this embodiment, the virtual lines Ya-Ya and Yb-Yb are used as virtual lines of the present invention. In this embodiment, the virtual line Ya-Ya refers to a virtual line passing through the fold line 150a for the main tab and the fold line 152a for the auxiliary tab. In this embodiment, the virtual line Yb-Yb refers to a virtual line passing through the fold line 150b for the main tab and the fold line 152b for the auxiliary tab.

[0068] The engagement mechanism of the present invention is punched out from the connecting flap, at least partially. In this embodiment, the main tab 138a is defined in the connecting flap 132 by a substantially C-shaped cut. The auxiliary tab 140a is defined in the connecting flap 132 by a substantially semicircular cut. The auxiliary tab 140b is defined in the connecting flap 132 by a substantially semicircular cut.

[0069] According to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the fold line 150a for the main tab and the fold line 152a for the auxiliary tab are provided on the same straight line of the connecting flap 132 (indicated by the imaginary line Ya-Ya in Figure 6), and the fold line 150b for the main tab and the fold line 152b for the auxiliary tab are provided on the same straight line of the connecting flap 132 (indicated by the imaginary line Yb-Yb in Figure 6). Therefore, even when the suspension device 116 is provided at the open end of the cylindrical structure of the carton, it is possible to make one of the suspension devices 116 easy or difficult to detach.

[0070] <blank> Figure 7 shows the unfolded form of the carton according to this embodiment. Note that parts corresponding to Figure 1 are indicated by the numeral 200, and their explanations are omitted.

[0071] The blank 260 shown in Figure 7 is a cardboard blank for constructing a carton that can hold six beer cans. The blank 260 comprises a top wall panel 218 that covers the top surface of the beer can, side wall panels 220 and 222 that cover the sides of the beer can, and bottom wall panels 224a and 224b that cover the bottom surface of the beer can. The top wall panel 218 and the side wall panel 220 are connected by a fold line 262. The top wall panel 218 and the side wall panel 222 are connected by a fold line 264. The side wall panel 220 and the bottom wall panel 224a are connected by a fold line 266. The side wall panel 222 and the bottom wall panel 224b are connected by a fold line 268.

[0072] The bottom wall panel 224a is provided with an adhesive tab 269 to which adhesive is applied. The adhesive applied to the adhesive tab 269 fixes the bottom wall panel 224a and the bottom wall panel 224b together, preventing the cylindrical structure from opening. In this way, a carton having a cylindrical structure can be constructed. Furthermore, the bottom wall panels 224a and 224b are formed with openings 270a and 270b, respectively. This allows the user to clearly observe the bottom surface of the beer can (especially the information printed on the bottom surface of the beer can) through the openings 270a and 270b when the carton is assembled.

[0073] The top wall panel 218 of the blank 260 is provided with finger-holding tags 272a and 272b to form an opening for finger-holding the carton. Specifically, the free ends of the finger-holding tags 272a and 272b of the blank 260 are defined in the top wall panel 218 by roughly C-shaped cuts 276a and 276b. The base ends of the finger-holding tags 272a and 272b are connected to the top wall panel 218 of the blank 260 via fold lines 274a and 274b. By pushing the finger-grip tags 272a and 272b of the blank 260 inward along the fold lines 274a and 274b, a finger-grip opening can be formed in the top wall panel 218.

[0074] In the top wall panel 218, the finger-holding tags 272a and 272b are positioned in the space between the side walls of adjacent beer cans. This allows the user to firmly hook their fingers into the inside of the top wall panel 218 through the finger-holding openings formed in the top wall panel 218, thereby enabling the user to firmly grasp the carton containing the beer cans.

[0075] The finger-grip tags 272a and 272b have triangular fold lines 278a and 278b formed on them. This means that when the finger-grip tags 272a and 272b are folded inward along the triangular fold lines 278a and 278b, and the user puts their fingers into the finger-grip openings on the carton and lifts the carton, the triangular fold lines 278a and 278b of the finger-grip tags 272a and 272b will align with the sides of the beer can, making it easier for the user to hold the carton.

[0076] The top wall panel 218 has perforations 280 for opening. When opening the carton, lifting the top wall panel 218 upwards causes the central part of the top wall panel 218 to break along the perforations 280, opening the carton. This allows all the beer cans contained in the carton to be removed at once.

[0077] As described above, the package according to this embodiment includes the suspension device according to this embodiment, and therefore has the following advantages. In other words, with a typical hanging device, there is concern that someone might remove the hanging device from the carton. However, with the hanging device according to this embodiment, once the hanging device is attached to the carton and the auxiliary tab is folded inward, it becomes difficult to remove the hanging device of this embodiment from the carton. Furthermore, while conventional hanging devices can be difficult to remove from the carton, with the hanging device according to this embodiment, folding the auxiliary tab outwards makes it easier to remove the hanging device from the carton.

[0078] <Variation> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0079] The tote body of the hanging device may consist of a hanging device, a supporting back panel to which product bags, promotional items, coupons, etc. can be attached, and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of any style of carton or box (e.g., basket carrier, cup carrier, end-side carton, wrap-around carton, top-engagement carrier).

[0080] More specifically, in the first and second embodiments, examples were described in which a panel was used as the tote body of the suspension device, but it is also preferable to use a box-shaped body as shown in Figure 8 instead of a panel.

[0081] Figure 8 shows a schematic configuration of a package using a suspension device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Parts corresponding to those in Figure 1 are indicated by the reference numeral 200, and their descriptions are omitted. The hanging device 216 shown in the figure includes a box-like structure for storing additional items such as prizes, which serves as the tote bag body 234. The box-shaped body 234, which serves as the tote bag itself, is connected to the connecting flap 232 via a fold line 236 for the tote bag body. According to this embodiment, as with the first and second embodiments, a suspension device 216 is provided, and the auxiliary tabs 240a and 240b make it easier or harder to detach one of the suspension devices 216.

[0082] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a box is provided as the tote bag body of the hanging device instead of the advertising panel described in the first and second embodiments. This allows the user to be provided with advertising information displayed on the box, and also makes it easy to provide additional items such as prizes contained in the box.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a beer can was used as the packaged object, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and packaged objects of other materials such as bottles and PET bottles can be used.

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example using a cylindrical beer can was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a packaged object having a shape other than a cylinder can be used.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example using a beer can filled with beer was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may also be a packaged body filled with contents such as beverages like juice, food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, household products, automotive supplies, agricultural supplies, and building supplies.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which six beer cans were stored in a carton, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other items can be stored besides six.

[0087] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which six beer cans were arranged in a 3x2 configuration in a carton. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and arrangements other than 3x2 may also be used.

[0088] In the above embodiment, an example using cardboard as the packaging material was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various sheets having the desired flexibility and rigidity, such as composite materials or laminated materials of paper and resin, can also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10, 100, 200… Packages 12, 112, 212... Beer cans (packaged items) 14, 114, 214... Cartons (packaging) 16, 116, 216… Hanging devices 18, 118, 218... Top wall panels (wall panels) 28a, 28b, 128a, 128b, 228a, 228b… Finger rest openings 32, 132, 232… Connecting flaps 34, 134, 234... Tote bag 36, 136, 236... Fold lines for the tote bag body 37, 137, 237… Engagement mechanism 38a, 38b, 138a, 138b, 238a, 238b… Main tab (engagement mechanism) 40a, 40b, 140a, 140b, 240a, 240b… Auxiliary tabs (engagement mechanism) 50a, 50b, 150a, 150b, 250a, 250b… Fold lines for the main tabs 52a, 52b, 152a, 152b, 252a, 250b… Fold lines for auxiliary tabs

Claims

1. A suspension device for detachably attaching to the opening of a package, The aforementioned suspension device comprises a connecting flap and a tote bag body connected to the connecting flap, The connecting flap has at least one engagement mechanism that removably engages with the opening of the packaging body, The at least one engagement mechanism comprises a main tab positioned at the opening of the packaging body and an auxiliary tab connected to the main tab, The main tab is hinged to the connecting flap around a dotted line, A suspension device in which, when the suspension device is in an unfolded state, the auxiliary tab extends from the virtual line in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the main tab.

2. The main tab is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the main tab, The auxiliary tab is connected to the main tab along the fold line for the auxiliary tab, The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the fold line for the main tab is aligned with the same virtual line as the fold line for the auxiliary tab.

3. The at least one engagement mechanism comprises a pair of engagement mechanisms arranged in a configuration facing each other, The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein, when the suspension device is in an unfolded state, each auxiliary tab of the engagement mechanism extends toward each other from the corresponding main tab.

4. The tote bag body is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the tote bag body, The suspension device according to claim 2, wherein the fold line for the auxiliary tab is arranged perpendicular to the fold line for the tote bag body.

5. The tote bag body is connected to the connecting flap along the fold line for the tote bag body, The hanging device according to claim 1, wherein the dashed line is arranged parallel to the fold line for the tote bag body.

6. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one engagement mechanism is at least partially punched out from the connecting flap.

7. A package comprising at least one packaged body, a carton which is a packaging body at least partially arranged around the at least one packaged body, and a suspension device which is detachably attached to the carton, The carton comprises a plurality of wall panels that are hinged together, The plurality of wall panels include a top wall panel having a carrying handle, and the carrying handle has at least one finger opening. The suspension device comprises a tote body positioned along at least a portion of the outside of the carton, and a connecting flap having at least one engagement mechanism engaged with at least one finger-grip opening of the carton. The at least one engagement mechanism comprises a main tab positioned in at least one finger-grip opening, and an auxiliary tab connected to the main tab, The main tab is hinged to the connecting flap around a dotted line, A package in which, when the suspension device is in an unfolded state, the auxiliary tab extends from the virtual line in the opposite direction to the extending direction of the main tab.

8. The plurality of wall panels define a cylindrical structure having at least one open end, The package according to claim 7, wherein the tote body is positioned such that it at least partially closes at least one open end of the cylindrical structure.

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